Ireland Gets Award For Cutting Road Deaths

Ireland has been recognised for cutting its level of road deaths almost by half since 2001.

The European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) will, this afternoon, present Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey with its 2010 road safety award in Brussels after Ireland cut its a 41% cut in deaths from road collisions.

The ETSC is acknowledging the efforts made by the Government, the Road Safety Authority and motorists in reducing the figure, with Ireland currently ranking seventh out of 27 in road deaths per million inhabitants.

Speaking today, Minister Dempsey said: "I'd like to personally pay tribute to road users in Ireland, for the manner in which they have embraced road safety. It is clear that Government policy and investment has been effective in this area. The work of the RSA and An Garda Siochana has played a major role in making our roads safer and it's true to say that people would not be alive today, were it not for the measures put in place by the RSA and An Garda Siochana.

"One of the most important measures introduced in Ireland was the Mandatory Alcohol Testing and tougher penalties for drink driving offences. Speeding remains a major factor in road deaths and serious injuries in Ireland. A network of speed cameras will become operational across the country from October this year and I hope this will mirror the reduction in overall speed on our roads as it has in other European countries."

Mr Dempsey also attributed the fall to a combination of improvements in road design, education and garda enforcement.

The Executive Director of the ETSC, Antonio Avenoso, while praising the Government's achievements, warned against complacency and said the council would be watching closely to ensure that the authorities commit to their plan of rolling out speed cameras in October this year.

(DW/GK)